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Atiku Will Restore Petrol Subsidy Before Gradually Phasing It Out — Spokesman

August 25, 2026 by admin

Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, has said the former Vice-President would reinstate petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, with plans to gradually discontinue the policy once the economy stabilises. Ibe, who spoke on AIT on Tuesday, said the proposed subsidy would differ from the former subsidy regime, as government support would be tied to crude oil production and domestic refining. He said the policy would provide temporary relief to Nigerians and businesses, stimulate economic activity and improve productivity. “What he’s simply saying is that the subsidy that he is advocating will be tied to the barrel, the crude oil barrel. This is perhaps the only thing that we have in so much abundance that Nigerians have not yet benefited from,” Ibe said. According to him, crude oil would be supplied to local refiners at a discounted price, enabling them to produce petrol and diesel at lower costs, which would translate into reduced pump prices for consumers. “The crude oil will be sold at a discounted price, subsidised to refiners, and that will enable refiners to be able to produce fuel and diesel at a cheap cost. And when they produce cheaply, they will sell at the real pump price,” he said. Ibe said an independent committee would determine the appropriate price of crude oil supplied to refiners, taking prevailing market conditions into account. He added that despite the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, government could monitor prices to ensure refiners and marketers operated within the framework of the policy. “There’ll be a window because, of course, we deregulated. You may not fix the price but you can have price monitoring to ensure that everybody aligns with what government hopes to achieve,” he said. Ibe said the intervention would be temporary and aimed at reviving economic activity and increasing productivity. “It is not something that is… It is for a time, and it is essentially to ensure that we jumpstart this economy,” he said. The former vice-president’s spokesman also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for removing petrol subsidy alongside other major economic reforms without allowing the economy sufficient time to adjust. “No surgeon, no doctor would carry out two or more serious major surgeries, one after the other. They would do one, allow the patient to recuperate, and then undertake the second, or the third,” Ibe said. “But what has this administration done? The issue of subsidy, flippant. No cabinet. No advisers. Just in the heat of the moment, it has been removed. No shock absorbers. Nothing. No palliatives. Absolutely nothing.” He argued that the simultaneous removal of petrol subsidy, deregulation of the foreign exchange market and electricity subsidy had worsened the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. Ibe said restoring the intervention would give households and businesses the opportunity to recover and improve productivity. “You need to give Nigerians and give manufacturers an opportunity to ensure that there is productivity,” he said. His comments came amid an ongoing disagreement between Atiku and Tinubu over the former vice-president’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy. Tinubu had previously dismissed Atiku’s proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”

Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend, Dies at 80

August 25, 2026 by admin

Country music icon, Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 80, according to multiple reports, including The Independent, The Guardian and Sky News. Parton’s death was reportedly announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on Instagram on Tuesday. “I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” Seaver said. Parton, who rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of country music’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, had a career spanning more than six decades. She sold more than 100 million records globally and became known as the “Queen of Country”, with hits including “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You”. Parton wrote more than 3,000 songs and won 11 Grammy Awards. She was also a successful actor, appearing in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Joyful Noise. Born on January 19, 1946, in a two-room log cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. Her father was an illiterate sharecropper who later worked his way up to owning a small tobacco farm. Parton described her family as “dirt poor” but credited her mother with passing on her love and knowledge of traditional folk ballads and her father for his work ethic. Parton began performing as a child. By the age of 13, she had appeared on local radio and television in East Tennessee, performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and recorded her first single, “Puppy Love”. After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville the following day and began establishing herself as a songwriter. She released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967, the same year she joined the weekly television programme The Porter Wagoner Show. Wagoner, an established country star, mentored Parton, and the pair released a series of successful albums as a duo. In 1973, Parton decided to concentrate on her solo career and wrote “I Will Always Love You” about their professional separation. The song became a hit for Parton and was later famously recorded by Whitney Houston for the 1992 film The Bodyguard. Parton also wrote “Jolene”, one of her signature songs, around the same period. Both songs were included on her 1974 album Jolene, which helped introduce her to a wider audience beyond country music. Her 1977 album, Here You Come Again, became her first to sell a million copies and earned her first Grammy Award after almost a decade of nominations. In 1980, Parton made her acting debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the workplace comedy 9 to 5. She also wrote and performed the film’s theme song, which became a number one hit and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The film’s success helped launch Parton’s acting career, with roles in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Joyful Noise (2012). Parton also built a business empire that included television specials, food products and Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she acquired an interest in and renamed in 1986. Beyond music and acting, she was known for her philanthropy, particularly through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which promotes childhood literacy. She also supported medical research, disaster relief and other charitable causes, including donating $1 million towards COVID-19 vaccine research. In 2022, she was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. “I just give from my heart. I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will,” she said at the time. Parton’s health concerns became public in September 2025 when she postponed her Las Vegas residency. In recent weeks, she had also withdrawn from public appearances amid ongoing health issues. Parton’s death comes months after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple married in 1966.

Yilwatda: Fuel Subsidy Reversal Shouldn’t Be Reduced to Election-Year Promise

August 24, 2026 by admin

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said discussions on reversing the fuel subsidy removal should not be reduced to promises made during election seasons. This is as he condemned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to reverse the removal of petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. Yilwatda,‌‍‌‍⁠⁠‌‌⁠‌‍‌⁠‌ in a statement on Monday in Abuja, described Atiku’s proposal as a deeply troubling policy u-turn that raised serious questions about the opposition’s preparedness to govern Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was issued by Yilwatda’s Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Mr Abimbola Tooki. He said Nigerians deserved more than election-season declarations, adding that any proposal to restore a costly subsidy regime must be subjected to rigorous scrutiny. This, he said, was particularly given the enormous fiscal burden subsidies placed on public finances and the distortions it created in the economy. According to the statement, Yilwatda made the remarks during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja, where he inspected the organisation’s facilities and interacted with its leadership. He noted that the opposition had been challenged repeatedly over the past three years to tell Nigerians what it would do differently if entrusted with power, yet no serious, coherent and convincing alternative had emerged. Yilwatda said it was therefore suspicious that, after more than three years of silence on a comprehensive governing agenda, Atiku was only now, about four months before the 2027 general election, presenting a policy that could reverse hard-won economic adjustments. According to the APC national chairman, Atiku’s proposal will set the country’s development trajectory back several years. “Economic policy cannot be reduced to election-season promises. Nigerians deserve to know precisely where the money will come from. “What sectors will bear the cost and whether such a policy can be sustained without reopening the fiscal pressures that necessitated reform in the first place,” Yilwatda said. He maintained that the removal of subsidy was a difficult but necessary policy decision whose consequences required complementary measures to cushion its impact, expand social intervention and strengthen productive sectors of the economy. This is as he added that the real test of leadership was not the “ability to promise immediate relief for electoral advantage but the courage to take difficult decisions.” He said it also required explaining such decisions to citizens and remaining committed to policies capable of producing sustainable growth. Yiltwada said Nigerians were too discerning to hand over the nation to politicians who had yet to demonstrate what they would do with presidential power beyond reversing difficult but necessary reforms. He added that “Nigerians should carefully examine competing economic programmes ahead of the 2027 elections.” The APC national chairman said they should distinguish between policies designed to address structural problems and promises that might provide short-term political appeal while creating longer-term fiscal difficulties. He criticised the lack of ideological and organisational consistency within the opposition. He said politicians who continually move from one political platform to another could not credibly claim to offer the stability and clarity required to govern a complex country like Nigeria. Yilwatda noted that President Bola Tinubu had remained within the progressive political tradition throughout his political career, apart from periods of political mergers, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima had also maintained a consistent political trajectory. He added that key APC stakeholders had remained committed to the party and its progressive platform. Yilwatda further stated that the APC-led administration under Tinubu had taken difficult economic decisions and was implementing measures intended to reposition the economy and attract investment. He added that the administration had also taken economic decisions to strengthen domestic production and reduce dependence on unsustainable government interventions. Yilwatda warned that reversing such reforms without a credible alternative could undermine investor confidence, worsen fiscal pressures and jeopardise the gains being pursued under the current administration. He urged Nigerians to be wary of political promises that appear designed primarily to secure votes rather than solve structural problems. The former minister also urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and policy positions of those seeking the presidency, including the “history of disputes involving Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.” He said they should particularly scrutinise allegations surrounding corruption in the privatisation exercise undertaken during the Obasanjo administration. According to him, questions of accountability and economic governance must not be swept aside in the rush toward another election. The APC national chairman said the “2027 election should be a contest of ideas, competence and credible policy alternatives, not a competition in which difficult economic realities were glossed over for political convenience.” He said the 2027 election must be a contest between competing visions for Nigeria’s future, not a referendum on who could make the most attractive promises at the last minute. The APC national chairman reiterated that APC would continue to defend policies aimed at building a more productive, investment-friendly and economically-sustainable Nigeria, while remaining open to constructive criticism and credible alternatives.(NAN)

Wike: Adeleke Is One of Us, But Tinubu Is Our Leader

August 21, 2026 by admin

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has described Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as a member of his political camp, while stressing that both of them and their supporters ultimately belong to President Bola Tinubu. Wike made the statement on Friday while speaking with journalists during an inspection exercise in Abuja, as he commented on Adeleke’s recent visits to him and President Tinubu amid political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections. The FCT minister said the 2027 presidential election would be characterised by extensive political alliances, insisting that more politicians and groups would join the coalition supporting Tinubu. Wike said some members of the African Democratic Congress were attempting to claim credit for Adeleke’s electoral victory, but argued that the governor was now fully aligned with Tinubu. He said, “I told you that the 2027 election would be the most in-depth election. I have told ADC who are talking about, oh, they helped Adeleke to win, they just wanted to go ahead and harvest what they never planted, you know.” According to Wike, Adeleke’s decision to visit Tinubu and himself showed where the Osun governor’s political allegiance lay. He said, “So, Adeleke is fully supporting Mr President.” Wike added that the political realignment was still unfolding, saying Nigerians should expect more groups to join the alliance supporting the President. He said, “And so, we went to bed last night and encouraged ourselves to continue. And the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see a larger rainbow coalition in this country supporting Mr President.” The former Rivers State governor also dismissed suggestions that the 2027 political contest had already been settled. He said, “You will see more. And that’s why I said, the election is not concluded. It’s not concluded.” Wike then took a swipe at former presidential candidate and publisher, Dele Momodu, over his reported support for the ADC and Adeleke. He said, “I don’t know where Dele Momodu will be now. Every time you see him on television, he was born in Ife thinking that will make Adeleke come to your side.” Wike concluded by asserting Adeleke’s allegiance to his political camp and their collective loyalty to Tinubu. “Adeleke belongs to us, and we all belong to Mr President. Thank you, brother,” he said. Wike’s comments came a day after Adeleke visited him in Abuja and presented his Certificate of Return to the FCT minister. The visit followed Adeleke’s meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Wednesday presented Adeleke with his Certificate of Return following his victory in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election. Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke’s victory has heightened political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and political blocs seeking alliances and realignments. Wike had earlier said he would have been in Osun State during the election if Tinubu wanted the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, to win at all costs. The FCT minister’s latest remarks further fuelled speculation about the growing political realignment involving Adeleke, Wike and the Tinubu camp.

FG Declares Tuesday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-ul-Mawlid

August 21, 2026 by admin

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a public holiday in commemoration of this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Friday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani. Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora on the occasion, urging Nigerians to reflect on the values of compassion, humility and service associated with the life of the Prophet Muhammad. “Every Eid ul Mawlid gives us reason to pause and draw lessons from a life defined by compassion, humility and service to others. “These are qualities our nation needs now more than ever, and I encourage every Nigerian, not just our Muslim brothers and sisters, to reflect on them,”he said. The minister also called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and national cohesion, stressing that maintaining unity remained a collective responsibility. He urged citizens to celebrate the occasion with restraint and mutual respect, while wishing the Muslim community a joyous and peaceful Eid. Tunji-Ojo further reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration to protecting lives and property and ensuring the sustenance of peace across the country.

Nigerian Dies After Being Detained at Indian Railway Station

August 20, 2026 by admin

A Nigerian citizen has died following his detention and questioning by officials of the Railway Protection Force at Surat Railway Station in India, prompting the Government Railway Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi on the Golden Temple Express when he was detained at Surat following an alleged altercation with fellow passengers, according to a report by The Indian Express on Thursday. Police said the incident began on August 17 after a passenger contacted the railway helpline, 139, to report that the Nigerian national and another passenger were allegedly fighting near one of the train’s gates. The Nigerian allegedly sprayed a fire extinguisher at co-passengers during the altercation while the train was travelling between Vapi and Surat stations, police sources said. He was subsequently detained at Surat and taken to the RPF office for questioning, where he reportedly collapsed. He was rushed to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Hospital, “where doctors declared him dead on arrival.” The Surat GRP has registered a case of “accidental death”, while the post-mortem examination conducted on August 18 was awaiting its report as of Wednesday evening, according to the report. Western Railway Superintendent of Police, Abhay Soni, said preliminary findings indicated that the deceased was a Nigerian national who lived in Vasai, Mumbai. “After primary investigations, it is believed that the deceased was a Nigerian national. When Surat RPF caught him, he didn’t have any of his identity cards with him,” Soni told The Indian Express. Soni also disclosed that the man had previously been arrested twice by police in Mumbai in connection with cocaine trafficking cases. “He lived in Vasai (Mumbai) and was arrested twice by Malwani and Malad police in Mumbai for drug (cocaine) trafficking cases in 2018,” he said. The police officer said the purpose of the Nigerian’s trip to Delhi remained under investigation and confirmed that he had boarded the train from Borivali in Mumbai. Soni said the GRP had commenced an inquiry into the death, with statements expected from officers involved in the detention and those present at the RPF office. “We have started an inquiry. Statements from the police officials who caught him and those present at the police station will be taken. We are also waiting for the autopsy report,” he said. The investigation into the death is being conducted by Deputy Superintendent of Police D H Gaur.

Oyo Declares August 20 Public Holiday For Isese Day Celebration•••Makinde Calls For Prayers For Peace, Unity, Stability

August 19, 2026 by admin

The Oyo State Government has announced Thursday, August 20, 2026, as a work-free day across the state to commemorate this year’s Isese Day celebration. The declaration was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, on Wednesday. According to the statement, Governor Seyi Makinde graciously approved the work-free day to enable residents to commemorate the traditional festival. The government urged residents to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, unity and stability in Oyo State and Nigeria at large. The statement quoted the governor as requesting that the celebration be used as an opportunity to pray for the continued peace and progress of the state, as well as the country.

Circular Road Will Boost Development Across Six LGs — Oyo Acting Governor; Gives Update on Compensation, Commissioning

August 18, 2026 by admin

Acting Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, has said the ongoing circular road project will drive development across six local government areas in the Ibadan metropolis, including Oluyole, Ido, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu and Akinyele. He stated this on Monday while addressing journalists after inspecting the ongoing Phase 2 of the 110-kilometre Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road in Ibadan. Barr. Lawal said the inspection was to assess the pace and quality of work to ensure the project meets approved specifications. According to him, about 32km of dual carriageway has been completed and asphalted, with streetlights and toll gates already installed. He said: “This is still an ongoing project. We are doing a 110km road, and with dualization, that’s 220km. By the grace of God, we will complete it before the exit of this administration. “The whole essence of this inspection is to let our people know that the circular road is a mega project this state has not witnessed in a long time, both in old and present Oyo State. “People must know that the circular road is about the development of Oyo State, not the speculation that Governor Seyi Makinde is taking people’s land. I have come to establish the fact that this project is not about taking anybody’s land. It’s about the development of this city.” The Acting Governor however assured that arrangements have been made for compensation for affected landowners who have registered. According to him, no inch of land acquired through this project will be left uncompensated. As long as our people get registered, all lands affected by the project will be compensated. He added that funds for compensation would be released very soon once cost figures are collated and submitted. While urging residents to get proper information about the project instead of spreading falsehoods, the Acting Governor stated, “It is important for our people to go round and see the project for themselves. It speaks for itself,”. He noted that the circular road now covers six LGAs previously referred to as “less city” but now part of a “greater city” due to the Makinde administration’s infrastructure drive. “This is good for development, investment and social cohesion,” he said. Barr. Lawal disclosed that contractors have assured that the 32km section at Badeku will be completed by the end of September and ready for commissioning. Adding that Work on hydraulic bridges has also been completed, while clearance is ongoing for the next stage, the Acting Governor said: “The goal is that before the exit of this administration, we would have completed Phase 2”. He equally described the circular road as a world-class project equipped with facilities including lay-bys, toll gates, and a medical bay. The Acting Governor also inspected ongoing projects at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, which are expected to be completed by November. He was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Magbonjubola Jagaban’, and other government officials.

La Liga: Barcelona Sign Rodri from Manchester City

August 18, 2026 by admin

Spain’s World Cup-winning captain, Rodri, has expressed his eagerness to “feel that excitement again” after officially completing his transfer from Premier League giants Manchester City to Barcelona on Tuesday. In a statement on their website, the La Liga champions said the 30-year-old has signed a deal that will run until 2030, bringing an end to one of the longest-running transfer sagas of the summer. After two failed bids, Barca and Man City reached a deal on Sunday, which a source from the English club told AFP would go up to 76.5 million euros ($88.6 million), including bonuses. Rodri then arrived in the Catalan capital the following day to thresh out personal terms with his new club. “I’m very happy and excited about this new stage in my career,” Rodri said during his unveiling on Tuesday. “It’s a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again.” After seven trophy-laden years at Man City, the former Atletico Madrid and Villarreal player was reported to be close to joining Real Madrid, before finally opting for their arch-rivals. The midfielder has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons but shone as Spain won their second World Cup in North America last month. Despite Barca’s recent dominance of La Liga, they have failed to lift European club football’s biggest trophy since 2015, when the club’s star-studded attack of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez fired them to their fifth Champions League title. “It’s a pleasure to be at Barca. I’ll give 100 percent of everything I have,” Rodri said. “I’m here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League. “I’ve come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so I’ll try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season.” To help him achieve these goals is a Camp Nou dressing room replete with familiar faces from Rodri’s Euro 2024 and World Cup successes with Spain, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Dani Olmo. He will also join up with new teammates, widemen Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, after the pair joined Barcelona earlier in the close season. One of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants at City, Rodri said he believed his new coach at Barcelona, Hansi Flick, would “bring a lot to my career”. “(Flick has) a style that I think is somewhat different from what I’ve experienced before, so it will be enriching and help me grow as a player,” he added. Rodri was a vital figure for Guardiola during their time together at the Etihad Stadium, leading City to the 2023 Champions League and four Premier League titles among 12 major trophies. “I am leaving the club with a huge sense of pride about what we have achieved and gratitude too for so many amazing memories,” Rodri said in a statement on City’s website. “What we have done together in these years is something both very special and unforgettable.” AFP

Nigerian National Arrested in Vietnam with Meth and Heroin

August 17, 2026 by admin

A Nigerian national has been arrested in Vietnam after authorities reportedly discovered 2kg of suspected crystal methamphetamine and two suspected bricks of heroin hidden in a shipment from Laos. VietnamPlus reported on Monday that the drugs were discovered at the Lao Bao International Border Gate in Quang Tri Province after customs officers detected suspicious images in a consigned package during a scan. The report said the case was uncovered at about 8:30 pm on August 5 when customs officers were inspecting road vehicles entering Vietnam from Laos through the border gate. “Customs officers detected suspicious images in a consigned package using scanning equipment,” the report stated. A subsequent physical inspection reportedly revealed that the drugs had been concealed inside electric water heaters and electronic components “used as disguises.” The discovery raised suspicions of transnational drug trafficking, prompting the Customs Sub-Department of Region IX to assign its customs control team to lead the investigation. The team also coordinated with the Lao Bao International Border Gate’s customs branch, the drug-related crimes investigation police division under the Quang Tri Police, the anti-smuggling investigation sub-department and the provincial Border Guard. According to the report, the agencies worked together “to identify and locate the recipient” of the consignment. “After several days of tracing the consignment across multiple locations,” law enforcement officers arrested Izuchukwu Calistus Odionye, a Nigerian national born in 1983, on August 9 in Ho Chi Minh City while he was receiving the package. The suspect reportedly admitted that the package contained drugs. Odionye told investigators that he “had been hired to receive it in Ho Chi Minh City and transport it to Hanoi,” according to the report. The Vietnamese authorities have since expanded the investigation to identify other people allegedly involved in the case. “The investigation has been expanded to identify other people involved,” the report added.